Funk on the River: Cory Wong’s Irresistible Groove at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival

Late afternoon on July 19, 2025, and Harriet Island is a sea of swaying bodies under the Minnesota sun, the Mississippi catching every glint like it’s dancing along. The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival’s second day has built to this 5:30 p.m. slot, and as Cory Wong and his nine-piece powerhouse take the River’s Edge stage, the air crackles with promise. I loved this entire set—they’re the ultimate dance band, horns blazing, rhythms locking in like a well-oiled machine, turning the park into one big, funky floor. Cory, the Minneapolis maestro with his Strat slung low, grins wide as he digs into the first riff, and just like that, feet are moving, smiles spreading, the crowd hooked from note one.

They launch with “Flyers Direct,” Cory’s guitar slicing clean and crisp over the band’s tight funk pulse, bass thumping deep, drums snapping sharp. The nine members shine: that photogenic bass player with attitude, strutting front and center, fingers flying with swagger that matches the groove. Horns punch in—sax wailing, trombone growling—while keys bubble underneath, percussion rattling like joyful secrets. Upbeat from the jump, it’s impossible not to bounce to “Flamingo,” the melody infectious, harmonies stacking sweet as the set builds heat. Cory’s all energy, hyping the crowd with nods and waves, his playing a masterclass in pocket—every note purposeful, every bend soulful.

Midway, magic happens: Cory invites Remi Wolf out to sing “Tell Me Something Good,” her voice a velvet fire that ignites the field. The Rufus cover pulses alive, Remi’s charisma pulling everyone in, and then—the highlight—an awesome bari sax solo unfurls, low and rumbling like thunder over the water, notes bending with raw power. The crowd loses it, hands up, bodies grooving as one, the collaboration seamless, electric. They roll into “Team Sports” next, a high-octane jam that has parents hoisting kids, groups linking arms, the positive vibes radiating. “Bluebird” follows, lighter but no less driving, Cory trading licks with the horns in playful call-and-response.

The energy never dips through “The Grid Generation,” a futuristic funk strut that showcases the band’s precision, then “Smokeshow,” all swagger and shine. They cap with “Call Me Wild,” a wild closer that leaves the field cheering, horns soaring to the sky as Cory bows out with a laugh, sweat gleaming, connection made. Rain might chase the night later, but for this hour, it’s pure uplift—the kind of set that reminds you why live funk feels like freedom. Nine players, one unbreakable groove: Cory Wong didn’t just perform; he threw a party by the river, and we all showed up dancing.

Cory Wong, born March 8, 1985, in Minneapolis, rose as a funk rhythm guitarist and composer, gaining fame through collaborations with Vulfpeck on tracks like those from The Beautiful Game. His solo career ignited with Cory Wong and The Green Screen Band in 2017, a live album capturing his witty, riff-driven style. Albums followed: The Optimist (2018), blending jazz-funk grooves; Motivational Music for the Syncopated Soul (2019), upbeat and exploratory; Elevator Music for an Elevated Mood (2020), pandemic-era positivity. He’s produced for Antwaun Stanley, hosted the Wongnotes variety show, and toured with acts like Dave Matthews Band. Notable songs include “Cosmic Sans” (feat. Tom Misch), a cosmic groove; “Ring of Saturn,” spacey funk; “Golden,” shimmering single; “Strangers” (feat. Cautious Clay), soulful collab; “Sunset” (with Plini), instrumental fire; “Matterhorn,” alpine adventure in notes; “King Bozzi,” regal riffage. With millions of streams and Grammy nods, Wong’s carved a lane where funk meets joy, always pocket-deep and smile-wide.

Band Members

• Cory Wong – Guitar
• Yohannes Tona has replaced longtime Prince bassist, Sonny T. (Thompson) – Bass
• Kenni Holmen – Saxophone
• Michael B. Nelson – Trombone

Most Likely Setlist from Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, July 19, 2025

• Flyers Direct
• Flamingo
• Tell Me Something Good (Rufus cover) (with Remi Wolf)
• Team Sports
• Bluebird
• The Grid Generation
• Smokeshow
• Call Me Wild

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